Robert 'Thord' Granath/Robban (MEFISTO)

Interview with Robert 'Thord' Granath/Robban
Mefisto 

Mefisto by Third Eye Design  

1.V. 2019 

Hail Mefisto I’m so honored to ask you for my small underground blog. Let’s start with your awesome news: on Friday the 13th of September you will unleash the first single "Armageddon" from upcoming album. The song features Chaq Mol of Dark Funeral on solo guitar. I can’t wait to listen to it. Would you be so kind to share some thoughts about that awesome Infernal Alliance?

- The story behind that is simple. Chaq Mol supported our last album, he really liked it and he showed up to a small show we did in Stockholm last year. He was so supporting and we connected. Our manager Roger later asked Chaq Mol if he would like to do a solo on one of the songs on our new album and he said yes. It turned out so good that he did solos on two songs. The other song is very different and stands out on the album and the solo sounds really epic. It gives me goosebumps… Fantastic guitar work I can say.

How many tracks do you plan to put for the new album, what will be released later this fall? 

- Eight songs. And when we present the title of the album, you will understand why… It is a kind of a concept album. 

On Walpurgisnacht this year Mefisto unleashed Bathory's "Born For Burning", to fallen Quorthon. I must say, it’s very dark, forbidding cover, amazing job. What should we know about the recording process of that excellent one? 

- A lot of bands have done Bathory covers. But I think the problem is that they tried to sound like the original. You can never do a song better than the original. But we decided to make it our own song. We wanted it to sound like Mefisto, Not Bathory. I was there in the beginning. And I did meet Quorthon and had the chance to hang out with him a few times. Quorthon actually supported Mefisto and I don’t know any other band he did support back then… He actually had us on his thank you list on one of the Bathory albums…

Your latest releases were Mefisto:Mefisto (full-length, 2017) and limited edition EP, called I in the Sky/Let Go of Life. What are the responses to these materials from the underground media and fans so far? (my favourite tracks are Death Angel, Draconia and of course Let Go of Life).

- The album got some good reviews. But as it is a underground album not a lot of people know about it. The spreading of it was not good enough. But most important, a lot of people in the business loves it. We got a lot of creed from other bands. As for example, Chaq Mol from Dark Funeral.

To “Let Go of Life” Lars Göran Petrov has put his killer old school Death metal voice.  How went the common work with Lars Göran? (I must say, the result is just brilliant with true sound of Mefisto)

- LG has supported us from day one. He always had Mefisto as one of his favourite bands. I always loved his voice and the trademark he created with Entombed. He and Mefisto goes way back… So having him on the album was very natural. He just had to sing on one of the songs…

Lars Göran Petrov on vocals, 'Let Go Of Life'  by Third Eye Design
27.VII.2017

Roel with his amazing Dutch Vic Records re-released 2 legendary demos of Mefisto on CD, called “The Megalomania Puzzle” (May, 2014) and  Mefisto: 2.0.1.6: This Is the End of It All... the Beginning of Everything...full-length (February, 2016.). How and when did you meet Roel first time? I saw in Encycklopedea Metallum, that your current label is Vic Records again; maybe your new LP would be released through his label?

- Roel re-released our demos. Then we choose him for our „comeback” album. Unfortunately that album was made in a rush with Omar coming to Sweden (he lives in the US) It was not what I had in plan and Omar wrote almost everything. It is not a bad album. But it is not a Mefisto album the way I wanted it. It is just a good metal album. Mefisto is so much more than a metal band. I want our music to be really dark. I love the Darkness in music. It must have a Heaviness.... But he is a brilliant guitar player.

What are your plans for the live performances in the near future? How were your shows after Mefisto re-union? 

- I did two shows after the reunion, with me behind the drums. But after that we kind of split up again. Then I decided to take over the vocals and write the songs together with Mogge. I really got back to the roots and we created the “new” Mefisto sound, the way I wanted it. Still true to the roots but fresh. 

How was the Swedish Death/Thrash/Black metal scene, in your opinion, back in the day? How do you hit it off with the Swedish underground our times?

- There was no scene in -86. The Swedish Death metal scene exploded two years after we vanished. A lot of great band got their breakthrough, Entombed, Dismember among others…

Fred Estby (Dismember, 2017) 

What are your favourite quotes? (from books)

-”Never hate your enemies, it affects your judgement.” Mario Puzo, The Godfather.

Quorthon and Pelle Dead both are Iconic personalities Worldwide. Would you be so kind to share some memorable moments about them? 

- Quorthon had a meet and greet in a record shop in Stockholm - 87 where he posed with a Mefisto T-shirt. Never seen him do that with another band (except KISS).

- Pelle hang out in our rehearsal room. He was really strange at that time but also very true. He thought we needed to sound more Satanic and a year later when he had moved to Norway he did send a letter that his new band, Mayhem will not sound as lame as Mefisto… He he…

Mefisto, 1996 

Tack så mycket/Thank you very much Mefisto. Send your devilish message to the readers of Archangel’s Lantern and Mefisto-fans at the end…. 

-Thanks for the support. We did put out two great demos back in -86. But trying to sound exactly the same and copy that sound today would be unfair. But still, I think you recognize the darkness in our sound even today.. Hail Satan!

Important links: 

/facebook.com/mefistoband/

youtube.com/channel/UCzQ08FpJU8QABWvLOjPg-Lg/videos

mefistomerch.com/ 

facebook.com/gmrmusic/

Mefisto by Third Eye Design

29.IV.2019

E.I.-M. (Lunar Chalice)

Interview with E.I.-M. (Lunar Chalice) 

Hail brother E.I.-M! Youʼve started with a new project this year. Lunar Chalice sounds for me very occult, tell the readers first of all about the beginnings and the horde name. Who created the logo-theme? 

- Hails Georgius. Lunar Chalice was founded shortly after N. joined Sacrilegious Rite. Heʼs already recruited M. and asked me to join also. So we started to work seriously and hard using the concept of historic heresy for our brand. Weʼre on the same page when it comes about the image of true Black Metal or how we see it and what it is for us. Black Metal must be black, ugly and must be the essence of all evil. The breaking of taboos and the journey into they abyss of the soul.

The name Lunar Chalice can be seen metamorphic because itʼs the essence of the night from which we drink, from which we take our intellectual potential. Itʼs the ultimate force!

The logo has been created by Marcus Ludwig who also created the Sacrilegious Rite Logo. A great artist and longtime friend.

What should we know about the line-up? Who is the main songwriter? How could you define your style? Which bands are the main influences of Lunar Chalice?

- N. is the main composer in Lunar Chalice. He has written all the structures and made the arrangements. A great musician with the right hand for dark and obscure music. N. and M. are the main instrumentalists in Lunar Chalice who take care about the musical obscurity. My part is the lyrical and conceptional lead.
I think our style is old 90s Black Metal. There is nothing modern or progressive in it and thatʼs exactly the way we want it to be.
N. is influenced by old the very first releases of Emperor, Mayhem, The Black and the first Gehenna album. I am into all kinds of Black and Death metal but when it come to Black Metal in particular Iʼm very very picky! Itʼd mention old Samael, Tulus, Malignant Eternal, old Satyricon, Darkthrone, Mayhem and Mare when it comes tonowadays Black Metal.
M.ʼs influences are Darkthrone, Burzum, Emperor, Dissection and Gehenna. Just to name a few.
Letʼs say, we are into old Black Metal mostly.

Enlighten us about lyrics or lyrical conception of Lunar Chalice and tell more about the cover art.

- Thatʼs an interesting topic, even for us. Lunar Chalice is mainly about historical events regarding European heresy and what has been delivered from the Medieval heretic cults. Itʼs about ancient Witchcraft and Satanism. Opposition towards christian doctrines at a time when Christianity was the one and only instance for the whole life of the individual. But Lunar Chalice is mainly not about blasphemy towards Christ but of celebrating the old masses and devotion of the cults who acted in the greatest danger of being discovered by the inquisition.
The cover art shows the classical image of Walpurgis rites who were thought to take place at the German Brocken.
Itʼs a rocky landscape in the north of Germany. It underlines our concept so we used that art for the Walpurgis Dance demo. 

You unleashed a demo tape “Walpurgis Dance” including 2 awesome raw Black metal tracks, called Night Eternal and Walpurgis Dance through German Worship Tapes records in August and I must to say, I like a lot this trve sound of Lunar Chalice, what catches me back to good old early 90s. What are your plans for the future after this demo?

- Thank you for your kind words. Walpurgis Dance had a great impact and the reactions so far have been pretty positive for us. There are already two more EPs in the making before we want to work on a full length!
This year we release another EP with the title “Night Poetry”. "Walpurgis Dance" is only a small demonstration of what's to come and scratches only at the surface of Lunar Chaliceʼs true potential. Let's say that we want to release black metal which we prefer and expect it to be. Black Metal we wish for and would like to listen to by ourselves. Since we are all not in this business shortly and also not being the youngest anymore, we bring our longtime experiences together to get the best result.

Iʼve noticed that Lunar Chalice-members are involved in different German bands like Sacrilegious Rite (Hail brother!), Malefica, Nightwalker and Todesweihe. Would you be so kind to share some important information about these hordes?

- Yes, that's true. I think the only right information about that bands I can grant you is that all are waiting to release new outputs. Everything is ready.

Do you think to do some live rituals in the near future?

- It would be possible but we agreed that we don't want to play live. There's music you better enjoy in your own 4 walls and which does not fit to be performed in front of a bunch of drunk headbangers. I think Lunar Chalice is one of them. We all do! 

Heresy, Witchcraft and Satanism are the main themes under the banner of the Lunar Chalice. Describe please your own point of view about these terms.

- I think that there is truth beyond the truth you have to buy from authorities. I think that only a few of us are truly free. The state controls your life, religious authorities control your life. But nevertheless the three mentioned themes can be seen as some kind of rebellion. But I don't like the word rebellion in most topics because its getting used for defining teenagers getting vegan or revolting against their parents. Rebellion is the opposition of all what defines the fitting in citizen. Religious, mental and existential.
It's important when it comes to Satanism that you don't only write songs about it but to use it, to make it your own, to be it! Satanism and occultism especially are words which you can't take serious anymore today. It's a sell out. In the age of social media the word occult lost much of its meaning. A young girl, who likes to listen to Satanic and occult bands smears blood on her face, takes a selfie and claims being “occult”. What the fuck is that supposed to mean? By what right? You see.... ? It's a sell out circus which started to take over after the death of Jon Nödtveidt.
Satanism and the gnostic within is the rejection of earthly and mundane weaknesses, the rejection of collective habits when you have to define it in the three dimensional realm which we are used to! But it's just more on the metamorphic plane towards the astral realm. It this requires initiation and it's just more than just to read some books. Preaching the word of Satan without devotion or believe is false and fake. There are too many individuals out there claiming to be “occultists and Satanists”. I don't take that serious in the first place.
Too many self declared “Satanists” use that word just to hide their weakness and mental issues. They justify their personality disorder with that word. On the other hand they hold interest in mundane things like watching TV, being into football, into a club or being about driving an expensive car. That's sick, false and weak!

Which occult and dark places could you recommend to visit for us in Germany?

- In Germany there are many old places which got a dark and tragic history. Not only influenced by heretic actions but also by medieval superstition. Wrongly accused individuals who had nothing to do with heresy, witchcraft ect but nevertheless died through inquisitorial tribunals. Trier is one place which a dark medieval background, thousands of women of had been accused of Witchcraft.
When it comes to true heresy there are also some caves where the Cathars use to hide or where excommunicated Templar knights hide their secret. But that's not in Germany in particular but spread all over Europe.
When you dig deeper in history you can find some pacts made with the devil for one's own benefit. But that's some rare and individual cases. In my area we the devils keep where a landlord made a devilish pact to win a battle, so the legend tells.

What kind of literature is your recommendation about German Witchcraft and Heresy?

- There are many under the topic “witches and witchcraft”. Due to inquisitorial tribunals about heresy had been a wide spread phenomena, one can find individual cases in archives. Most bigger towns had their tribunals.

How do you see the underground German Black metal movement nowadays?

- To be serious, the main problem today is the availability of just too many bands. The market is full and as a cause of that, true potential is rarely discovered. Let's say that most bands take each other's oxygen to breathe.
Sadly you have more less potent bands than well potent. But I think this problem is also of a global nature. It's rare that you meet “fans only”. Everyone thinks it's a duty to play in a band. That's the problem. But when it comes to scene related questions, I am particularly old fashioned. Maybe I'm not the right person to answer it.

Vielen dank brother! Send a message from Lunar Chalice to readers of Archangelʼs Lantern at the end.

- Thanks a lot for the great questions, brother. I guess I also speak in the name of all Lunar Chalice members when I thank the audience for support and the great attention we got already by only releasing a demo tape. The potential is there and we will use it, so you can expect two EPs to come which we want you to watch out for. The next one will be called “Night Poetry” and the one after that “Medieval Cults of Heresy”. All material is written and is just waiting to be recorded.

facebook.com/Lunar-Chalice-103072924374033/

Julien (Thyr)

Interview with Julien (Thyr)

(Iron Flesh, Agressor live-session)

Hail Julien, hope all ok with you. How and when did you get introduce to metal underground?  Since when did you engaged in using Tyr name? Are you into Scandinavian mythology?

- Hi, I am feeling really well! I get introduced to the metal scene in the beginning of the years 2000, first auto release with a band called Withdrawn.

We started doing shows with this band, then a few years later I joined Otargos forces and I had to find a name for the stage. I started using Thyr as a stage name. It was inspired by an old language meaning "the Rock" which at the time was feeting my mentality perfectly!

I am not that much into Scandinavian mythology but it could an interesting subject to read about in the future for lyrics. 

When did you start to play the musical instruments? Which musicians influenced you in the beginnings? What was your very first band?

- Way before playing drums I started playing guitar so perhaps 15-16 years old.

In the beginning I was really influenced by Chuck Schuldiner, Slayer riffing, and the entire Thrash/Death scene.

Before Withdrawn we had a band called Dawn Chaos but never released any material, the first years rehearsing summer/winter into a non isolated garage ahahah! 

You played in 3 bands if I’m not mistaken with your brother together, namely in Withdrawn (melodic death-black), Fall of Seraphs (Death metal) and Siberian XP. Tell us more about these hordes.

- We played together in Withdrawn, recorded demos and 2 albums and a split, that was our first real band, playing live and first couple of tours! We had a lot of fun during those years where everything was easier to play live.

I actually never played in FOS but my brother played bass with them, he just stopped recently, such a great old school death metal band with great influences and talented musicians!

I played during a few years in Siberian XP filling the drums due to the original drummer health problems...

I recorded an EP with them and did a few shows but with personal life, growing activity with Iron Flesh, I choose to leave cause I had no enough time to stay focused on this project.

But that was a good band experience and I progressed a lot on how to make your drum kit sound great without trigger. 

Metal Days with Otargos

You played the drums in several bands called Annthennath, Malevolentia, Otargos and last but not least Dawn Chaos you were as a guitarist. What should we know about these hordes?

- Dawn Chaos was my first band ever where I played guitar, too bad we never released any material, perhaps I still have a few guitar tabs.

Annthennath was a huge studio experience, I recorded demos, albums and split cds/vinyls/tape.

Great black metal band, really productive and talented guys, but then I joined Otargos and had not enough time for this project.

It was probably one of the biggest bands I played with.

Recorded 2 albums did a lot of shows around the world, many tours!

I learned so many things with the guys and the touring experience! Some of my best "souvenirs".

With Malevolentia I recorded one album and did a few shows live.

The main composer is a friend of mine and it was a great pleasure to do it for him, hope to work again with him one day. 

Brazilian tour with Otargos

When and how met with French legendary guys of Agressor? Along the years 2015-2016 you are playing with guys again. Share all the important information about this awesome alliance.

- If I remember well I played my first show with them in 2015.

Kévin Paradis give me a call and asked me if i could fill in because he was not available for the gig.

I had to learn 15 songs, no rehearsal and we played as headliner in front of a packed room. First time meeting and playing with the guys ahahah

Pretty crazy but I did no structure mistake and the show was great, something impossible to explain.

Then along the years I played a few shows with them like in Romania for a festival, France and Belgium.

They are great guys, awesome musicians, and really easy going people. Such an honor to play with those guys when you know 10 years ago I discovered their music. Never thought I would play with them a few years later! 

(In Romania with Agressor)

Mithras, Monument of Misanthropy and Seth are the bands where you played also as a drummer. Let’s talk about that era of your life.

Canadian tour with Seth

- I did a few shows and a tour with MOM, such intense fast and raw brutal death metal! I had to fill in the shows of Romain Goulon stuff. It was not easy but I nailed it and did my best. It was just session and as they are a touring band it was hard for me to be available all the time, but great memories especially on the tour with Suffocation/Abiotic/Cattle Decapitation.

 I did a Canadian tour with SETH, Alsvid was not available so I had to learn all the stuff. Great experience, good shows, and touring Canada in summer is just so beautiful, what a country with amazing people! (Thanks again Martin if you read those words).

 Mithras was probably my most intense experience drumming wise. I pushed myself far beyond my limits/comfort zone. Leon is an absolute genius, songs are so good but really hard to play at the same time. He was my best "boss" regarding organization/dedication but also one of the most demanding one drumming wise. We did a tour in the UK and played Brutal Assault, again an amazing human/drumming experience.

Iron Flesh is an amazing French Death horde; enlighten us all the details from the beginnings to your new album, “Forged Faith Bleeding” (excellent album!)

- Iron Flesh is a based on a solo project I started in my apartment..After all those years playing sessions I had this strange feeling.

I wanted to play my music, stop using triggers, going back to some more rock 'n' roll attitude, simplicity, groove so I composed the first EP "worship the Necrogod". Some friends listened to it and told me to find a line up and try to play live!

It was easy to find friends (Sylver, Seb and Guilhem joined me) as the music is easier to play, more fun, don' t really need to work on your technique, to warm up. It more a plug and play band, and it feels so good to enjoy again playing live and not being stressed by backline issues, lack of warm up...

One year later I released "Scourge of demonic incantation" which was a little more melodic than the first EP. In 2019 we released "Forged Faith Bleeding" and a special song for a French compilation WAFFY2. So we are pretty active, more than 30 shows in a few years.

What is a current situation with your other bands, like Diskarial, Horncrowned?

- I recorded an EP with Horncrowned I hope he will contact me again to record some more stuff because I really enjoyed this raw black metal!

Diskarial is my first solo project, I recorded a demo and released an album.

I have another album fully recorded instrumentally but no lyrics on it if I have enough time perhaps I will finish it and release it because it was really different from the first release, wait and see. 

Describe me French scene nowadays. What bands are your favourites from golden era of 90s? I’m a big fan of French Massacra (R.I.P. Fred “Death Duval”) and I got a very kind letter from Jean-Marc Tristani in 1993including their signatures… Do you have any favourite tracks and/or albums from their heritage?

- I like those bands from this era Loudblast, Agressor,  Massacra but I am more into Scandinavian hm2 bands.

'Bloodshed' from Agressor,  'Neverending Destiny' from Agressor.

Then albums from this era are so good it's hard to name just a song.

But be sure than before 2000 if you are fan of old school music you will enjoy those French Death/Thrash pioneers! 

What are your favourite musicians/bands and albums? (Name us 10)

Death - Scream Bloody Gore

Agressor - Neverending Destiny

Metallica - Kill ‘em all

Keep of Kalessin - Armada

Dismember - Like An Ever Flowing Stream

At The Gates - Slaughter of the Soul

Behemoth - Zos Kia Cultus

Entombed - Left Hand Path

Cadaver Inc - Discipline

Iron Maiden - Seventh Son of a Seventh Son

Just make a mixture of the artists that compose those bands and you got my favorite ones..

Have you any special hobbies alongside the music?

- Yeah, I like reading SF books, Lovecraft, going to the gym, meeting with old friends, walking in the forest. 

Iron Flesh

France is a very nice country with ancient history, famous by the painters, writers, sculptors, actors and the French kitchen is world-famous. I have never been in France yet but hope I will have a trip very soon. Tell of some thoughts about your beautiful country.

- Great regions, landscape, forest, cattle, friendly people in the country sides, drunken people, assholes, pubs, like in every country of the world you have all you need, just have to choose what you want to see and be part of.

It will make your vision of the country good/bad.

From my point of view it's a great country, but kind of fascinated by other countries from north and Eastern Europe.

Not even sure I will stay in France forever...

You are from Bordeaux, what is a pretty old port-city. Recommend me please some places to visit and local foods, drinks and tobacco.

- Come to Bordeaux I will guide you.

I live 15 mins away from the most beautiful part of Bordeaux

You will enter pubs but you never know when you come back home ahahah

We are pretty well known for food and wine, but I don't smoke so not even sure you could find some good tobacco.

Who cares, everyone is now smoking E-cigarette.

In our private conversations you told me that you meet Eugene Ryabchenko of Castrum, etc. How many times you met? What is your opinion about his drumming? (I remember I gave him a name Infernal Warmachine on Castrum-rehearsal place because he made me half-deaf by his killer drum-parts).

- I met 2 times with Eugene:

One time was during a summer festival (Kaltenbach Open Air  and second time during the tour with Suffocation.

My opinion is simple; he is one of the top 10 best actual metal drummers. What makes him special is that he is playing singles on the feet with a precision nobody can achieve. Really hard worker, simple person, down to earth guy, he deserves what is happening to him and even more recognition in my opinion. But I see a bright future for him if he keeps his work and perseverance in the same way!

(Eugene and Julien, 19.VIII.2016)

Merci mon ami, it was a pleasure to talk with you. Last Iron Flesh thoughts are yours to the readers….

- Thanks for this long and interesting interview, I want to give a simple message to readers, stay true to your roots, keep your ears/eyes open to newcomers, take what make you feel good, have constructive criticism, stop being assholes to each other and stab bands you don' t like in the back

Eat bananas and stay Necro! 

Important links: 

facebook.com/IronFlesh/

facebook.com/AgressorOfficialPage/

facebook.com/Withdrawnofficial/

facebook.com/athowcover/

facebook.com/ferriterium/

facebook.com/mithrasuk/

facebook.com/Horncrowned/

facebook.com/SiberianXP/?ref=page_internal

facebook.com/ProjectForBastards/

facebook.com/OTARGOSband/

facebook.com/MalevolentiaBM/

Iron Flesh YouTube:

youtube.com/user/harm0nia

LoneHunter (Marcos and Juliano)

Interview with Marcos and Juliano  

(LoneHunter)

Hail brothers Juliano and Marcos! You are very welcome to my small inferno, Archangel’s Lantern! Tell us at first the beginning of your Death metal horde LoneHunter.

Marcos: I was always in love with composing and making music. Since 1990 when I started playing bass on Pesticide and Cauterization and then I started playing guitar on Immortal Majesty.

In 1995 I stopped playing to do some personal life projects, but in 2016 I decided to play again. Then LoneHunter started.

Juliano: Marcos and I have been friends for over twenty-five years, but at some point we parted ways, he went on to build a career, I finished college, got married, got involved in some projects and in 2017 we got back in touch. At the time LoneHunter had a slightly different approach and he showed me several songs. The conversations… the memories… the passion for Death metal that doesn't die… the fact is that things have converged and we join forces to make the kind of sound we are creating.

I’ve listened to Lone Hunter EP, “Beyond the Portals of Death” and I must say it’s just a brilliant Brazilian Death metal. Tell us all the important things about this EP (song-writing process, about lyrics, cover art)

Marcos: Thanks for your words, Georgius!

As with all kinds of artistic creation, there are no rules. Usually the songs start with some of my guitar riff that I quickly imagine possible drum and bass lines. Sometimes I can already imagine the keyboard and vocal lines at the time of this brainstorm.

I record and send this type of material to Juliano.

All the lyrics from the EP were written by Juliano. I just change some things to make it fit to the song. The cover art was created by Tiago Medeiros. He is very talented guy!

What are your future plans with Lone Hunter? Do you want to play live in the near future?

Marcos:We are working on new songs for the full length and trying to promote the band with friends, fanzines and metal radios support.

Waiting for the arrival of the EP in digipack CD format.

I play in another band, it's called Masturbator. We made some live appearances and after that I just think about LoneHunter playing live too. We are searching for musicians that want to join us in this journey.

It's too hard to find a drummer! Oh, Satan! LOL

Juliano: “Beyond the Portals of Death” is kind of a teaser for our first album. A way to introduce the band to the metalheads and show who we are. I believe the best of LoneHunter is saved for this full length and Oh yes, definitely taking LoneHunter's music to a stage is a goal.

When did you start to play the musical instruments? Which musicians influenced you back in time?

Marcos: I was just a boy when Sepultura was on the rise. Beneath the Remains was released. This was the first Brazilian band to win the world in those times. It was the golden age of Death Metal and bands like Death, Morbid Angel, Entombed, Pestilence, Obituary, Carcass, Napalm Death, Sinister, Noctunus and many others were releasing amazing records.

Listening to these bands made me want to play and here I am today.

Juliano: I bought my first keyboard in the early 1990s. Many keyboardists and pianists have inspired me over the years. Back in the 90’s Marcos and I jammed sometimes with two keyboards doing some music in the vein of old Mortiis.

Jon Lord from Deep Purple and Louis Panzer from Nocturnus has always been  genius for me. Bands like old Limbonic Art, Emperor, Gehenna's first album. Recently the work of Katarina Gubanova impressed me greatly.

What was your first band? Do you play in other bands/projects? 

Marcos: My first band was Pesticide. It's a Splatter grind death "drums, bass and vocals" project formed at 1990.

We changed the name of the band to Cauterization and released its latest demo tape in 1994. (https://soundcloud.com/lonehunterband/cauterization-demotape-1994)

In 1994, I started to play guitar and was a former member of Immortal Majesty band. It's a death metal project.

When I spoke to Juliano at 2017 about to join forces with me in LoneHunter, the initial idea was to bring the Immortal Majesty back into action. We spoke to the other former members but only me and Juliano decided to go ahead. So LoneHunter idea grown up. 

Juliano: I was part of the band Black Metal Ayperos for a short time. In 1996 I recorded the keyboard parts of the "Black Side" demo and the "Brazilian Underground Attack" vinyl with them. In 2002 I created the War Death Metal band Opus Bélico together with a friend.

Currently besides LoneHunter I was invited to do the keyboards in the Progressive Death Metal band Tiwanaku led by Ed Mowery (ex Nocturnus, ex Malediction). The band is recording their first album called "Earth Base One" and will feature guest appearances by James Murphy (ex Death, ex Obituary, etc.), Carlo Regadas (ex Carcass, ex Blackstar) and a few more special appearances that will be announced in the right moment. I admire Ed a lot, not just as a musician but as a human being. He always fights his personal battles in a good mood.

Tell the readers please your experiences about the Brazilian underground (past and present). Which hordes are your favourites? 

Marcos: A lot of things surely have changed since I started into metal scene.

From the letters, tape trades and real world to internet.

Today all the people just want to create discussion about left-right political ideas. But they focused on discussing only and cause fragmentation with no sense or practical attitude to solve the problem. It's is just nonsense blah blah blah, you know?

The hordes that have my attention today is Exterminate, Sanctifier, Open the Coffin, Havok 666, Funeratus, Cirrhosis, Vulture.

Juliano: In the old days we were a bunch of kids all friends who just wanted to drink, listen to metal and scream blasphemies. Today here in Brazil much has been lost because of politics. It all ends in political discussions and personally I hate politics. A lot of great bands come up constantly. Some that I would definitely point to the readers are Open The Coffin, Disruption Path, Wolflust, Klamor, Hell Abyss, Sculpture (Awesome band), among others.

Juliano, you mentioned me in our private conversations that you wrote about the Gilles de Rais (Hail to Gunther and Ancient Rites) a thesis or dissertation. Tell us please about it more.

Juliano: Yes my university thesis was basically a biography of Giles DeRais with a psychological focus in the historical period. It tried to correlate the society at the time as a potentialiser in the creation of a serial killer. DeRais was an amazing and fascinating character. In college I read everything I could find about psychopathy, serial killers, and related topics. Curious that you asked this question because a few weeks ago I found my thesis in my library and realized that although a bit raw it is good, well written. Maybe I will update it and in the future will release it as a book ... Just plans yet, let's see.

Gilles de Rais by Éloi Firmin Féron (1835)

What are your eternal favourite albums and hordes?

 Marcos:

Sinister - Cross the Styx

Noctunus - all, The key

Morbid Angel - from Altars to Domination

Pestilence - Consuming Impulse

Obituary - Slowly We Rot /Cause of Death

Bolt Thrower - all, The IV Crusade

Terrorizer - World down fall

Death - all, Human

Dark Angel - Darkness descends

Kreator - Coma of Souls

Malevolent Creation - The Ten Commandments

Suffocation - Effigy the Forgotten

Samael - Ceremony of the opposites

Rotting Christ - Thy might contract

Deicide - Deicide

Bathory - Blood Fire Death

Juliano:

Nocturnus – The Key

Ancient Rites – Rvbicon

Impaled Nazarene – Ugra Karma

Dissection – Reinkaos

Entombed – Left Hand Path

Death – Symbolic

Morbid Angel – Blessed are the sick

Elysian Fields – Adelain

Emperor – In The Nightside Eclipse

Usurper – Diabolosis

King Diamond – Fatal Portrait

Sadistic Intent – Ancient Black Earth

Inquisitor – Walpurgis Sabbath of Lust

Luciferion – Demonication

Against The Plagues – Decoding The Mainframe

Gravehill – When All Roads Lead to Hell

I’m a big fan of Brazilian football and team since 1982, Zico, Socrates, Eder times…Do you have any favourite players and teams in Brazil? 

Juliano: Brother, I think you're talking with the two wrong guys about it. I've always been a little traumatized by football because of the school days, I was always the last one to be chosen to play and if someone chose me before others would shout "Noooooo, not him." LOL. Not my cup of beer, sorry.

Perhaps you know that my blog is dedicated to Jon Andreas Nödtveidt. Did you see Dissection live back in time in Brazil? Have you any favourite tracks/album from Jon’s heritage? (not only Dissection)

Juliano: I didn't get to see Dissection when they came to Brazil. My friends make a point of rubbing the pictures in my face always ....

For me the album Reinkaos is one of the best ever written in the history of Metal. Not only musically but also the lyrical part. Jon was a genius and everything he touched turned to gold. I like even De Infernali his most controversial project.

My favourite tracks are Dissection’s “Where Dead Angels Lie”, “Xeper I Set” and “Maha Kali”.

Juliano, tell us please about your activity in Lucifer Rising magazine.

Lucifer Rising is a magazine for the extreme underground metal and has existed for over 15 years.
The problem is that fewer and fewer people consume magazines these days and the publishing world is having to readjust. With this idea in mind, my friend Eden Lozano, who was already working on the team of another Brazilian metal magazine, took the lead with the proposal to broaden the concept of the magazine by creating the Lucifer Rising portal. I was invited to be part of the team of writers along with some important representatives of the Brazilian underground and we are struggling to bring the best content possible to all metalheads.

One of our mottos is that there is no band too small for us. By the way I invite all the bands that are reading and want a good disclosure to get in touch. We are always available.

I’ve never been in your beautiful country but I really hope to have a trip someday. Recommend to the readers some local Brazilian foods and drinks and interesting places to visit.

Marcos: Brazil is a great place to trip to. I think "Diversity" is the word that describes our country. From Amazonas to Rio Grande do Sul, you will see a lot of different things, from food/drinks/fruits to beautiful places (beaches, waterfalls, rivers or sights). It depends what you are looking for, but certainly you will find a good reason to come here my friend.

I love our food. Our cooking is a mix of local and worldwide tastes.

And NO, I don't agree tourists who come here for sexual reasons. Yes, we have a lot of beautiful girls but They deserve our most sincere RESPECT. 

Obrigado brothers, it was a pleasure to talk with you. Share some thoughts of LoneHunter to complete this interview. 

Juliano: Thank you for the opportunity. It is an honor for us. Personally, I believe the underground is made by the union of those who live it. I see a lot of people wasting time discussing things that have nothing to do with metal. I think we could be more productive if instead of talking badly about a band that we didn't like we could share two others that caught our attention. I wish to Archangel's Lantern success and long life.

Important links: 

facebook.com/LoneHunterHome/ 

youtube.com/channel/UC4O175BAT01ALAFXDsnN4Nw/featured

Jörgen Sandström

Interview with Jörgen Sandström 

(Domedagen, The Project Hate MCMXCIX, KRUX,  

ex-Corpse, ex-Putrefaction, ex-Entombed, 

ex-Vicious Art, ex-Torture Division)

Hail Jörgen, hellcome to Archangel’s Lantern! Tell the readers the creation of your awesome Doom/Death metal band, called Domedagen. What I’ve listened to from you, I must say just brilliant massive and ominous pieces of Swedish Death/Doom metal. (my favourite track is “Left Here the Conqueror”)

J: It is a band that me and my friend Lord K started. We are both massive Candlemass fans and also both of us had the honours to play with Candlemass live on different occasions. So this is kinda our tribute to Candlemass. We had Domedagen in our minds for years but we never did anything with it. Until like a year ago, Lord K wrote a bunch of songs and we recorded them.

If I’m not mistaken Domedagen means in English Judgement Day, which is totally fits to your music. Who contrived the band name and drew the logo?

How it’s going the songwriting-process? Who writes the lyrics?

J: We had a bunch of names but we choosed Domedagen. Well, Lord K wrote all of it. Music and Lyrics. I did some arrangements and had some ideas that we used.

I’ve read on your official fb-page Domedagen will plan to do some live shows in the future. Who would join your forces then? (on drums). Is there purpose to record a Domedagen full-length later? What is the situation with Domedagen-merch? (it would be awesome).

J: We did think about it but it is just so damn hard to make arrangements when you get older. Everybody is on a different schedule with work, family etc etc haha. So we´ll see.

The Project Hate MCMXCIX celebrates its 20th Anniversary this year.

Grattis/my congratulations and best wishes to Lord K. Philipson and you! “Death Ritual Covenant” is the latest album of The Project Hate MCMXCIX, released in 2018. Would you be so kind to tell some thoughts about this album and future plans of The Project Hate MCMXCIX?

J: Thank you! 20 years is quiet a lot. Death Ritual Covenant was our 12th album I think and the one that I like the most. Lord K is really the one to speak with when it comes to TPH because that is solely his work. I am just an instrument that he needs to fulfill his compositions.  Right now we are waiting for the next donation experiment to come through so we can record the next album. Well, we have started to record some of it of course but it is far from finished.

How and when did you meet Kentha/Lord K.Philipson back in time? (I’ve just listened to a few days ago Leukemia:”Suck my Heaven”, where you played bass, awesome album)

J: He had a fanzine called Hypnosia I think and he wanted to interview Grave when Into the Grave was released. So he came to the legendary show in Stockholm in 92 where Carcass, Entombed, Grave and many other bands played and we had a great time. So when Leukemia was in town to record their Suck my Heaven record I was in the studio and did some vocals, I did not play bass. Later when I left Grave in 95 I joined Leukemia and after that we have been in bands together for 24 years now.

(Leukemia:Suck my Heaven, got from my old mate Cornelius as a birthday present this year -G)

I miss a lot Torture Division but I understand your decision. What are your favourite tracks from Torture Division? It is possible to order or buy old Torture Division-merchandising nowadays?

J: Torture Division was fun. We had a blast. But motivation and the creative part eventually faded out so we just said fuck it.  There is no TD merch left from us. But there might be some at Abyss rec or Punishment in Italy.. They both released cd´s.

We had a lot of songs that I really liked but I loved playing Invoking the knifer live.

Torture Division

Grave: Soulless LP has its 25th this year. Official video, Soulless still is one my favourite clips from 90s. Share with us some memories about the clip-making process and the recording of this legendary album? What is your favourite stuff from Corpse/Putrefaction/Grave-era?

J: We were in Germany to record the video, we were about to head out on tour and our manager had set up this video shoot in an old factory. The director wanted it to look like the old Nosferatu movie by F W Murnau. So what I remember the most is the director and our manager arguing in German, Nein!! Das is nicht ein Murnau effect!. The clip turned out alright I guess but we never understood the thing being out in a cold factory all night freezing our asses of.  The album was recorded with Tomas Skogsberg and Fred Estby in Sunlight Studio. Lots of fun working there of course. But I don't remember much of it, it s been awhile. I don't have a favourite Grave era, those years were all gold to me. Being able to tour the world and record music with your best friends was unreal.

(my old Grave:Souless-tape, bought in 90s, 

Ola-signature + pick of Tobias Cristiansson from 2014, Kosice/Slovakia -G)

As I’m an old fan of Entombed, of course I like a lot those albums as well, where you played  bass. (personal favourite Morning Star). How do you describe your activity with Entombed-guys during 1997-2005?

J: It was a lot of fun and we had our ups and downs. Looking back at it I really had a lot of fun and met a lot of nice people around the world that I am still friends with.

(Entombed:Morning Star CD, signed by Lars Göran Petrov in 2014-G) 

What is the situation with Krux now?

J: We were asked to do a gig about a year ago maybe and we nearly managed to do it but something happened and we had to cancel. Cant remember what it was, I think it was a double booked show at the venue or something... 

We´ll see. The others are really busy with Candlemass, Opeth, Vojd and Mats is releasing his soloproject, Skyblood, soon. I hope we can make a show or two in the future, it was always fun playing with Krux.

You are from a very old town Visby, Gotland with rich heritage. Recommend us some interesting places and local food and drink please.

J: Yeah, Visby is a very nice place to visit. Old town with lots of ruins from the middle ages etc. It is well worth a visit.

Tack så mycket, Jörgen! All the best to you with Domedagen and The Project Hate MCMXCIX. Send some thoughts at the end…

J: Thank you for your support. Drop us a line or two on facebook and let us know what you think of our music. Cheers.

Important links of Domedagen: 

facebook.com/domedagen666/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXOIJXQ-BlqJwJpGeSZCD1A

The Project Hate MCMXCIX: 

facebook.com/theprojecthate/

KRUX: 

facebook.com/kruxdoom/